Comparing the Kubota B2601 and the Kubota L2501 to see which one is right for you!

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[@unclebuck5051]

That treadle pedal is the dealbreaker for me. I have an 05 B7800 30hp no emissions tractor I picked up used a few years ago. Great little tractor for a smaller property. Compares favorably with your 2601 in that regard. Installed a third function kit, has a QA bucket, 3 pt backhoe, snowplow, grapple, forks, tire chains, ballast box, etc. I don't know how I got along without it. Your videos are very informative and watchable. Thanks.

[@timschison52]

Sounds like you have a great little tractor too! I know what you mean about how handy they are. I'd never want to be without my tractor now myself.

[@northeasterndirtandpropert7974]

Both great tractors.I run a lot of KUBOTA equipment and had an L-2501 for 8 yrs.The L2501 is a no frills workhorse,no bells.The floor mats on the L-02 series will fit on the L-2501 if you want floor mats and protect the paint and quieter.You can't go wrong owning Kubota.

[@timschison52]

Absolutely!

[@Keith.Zielinski]

Always enjoy seeing those little Bota's! Thank you for sharing!

[@timschison52]

Thanks for watching, I love these little tractors!

[@tractortalkwithgary1271]

I bought my L2501 in December of 2017. Mine is the gear drive version with the R1 ag style tires. I am not a fan of the hydrostatic and definitely not a fan of the treadle pedal. I use mine down in my woods dragging up logs and tops for firewood. Therefore, the gear drive was the right choice for me. Neal Messick has a you tube channel where he does a pulling comparison between the gear drive and the hydrostatic. The gear drive will out pull the hydrostatic badly. It isn’t even close. You did a great job on the comparison here. You have a great channel. I am a new subscriber recently.

[@timschison52]

First off, thank you so very much for subscribing! I totally agree about the power to the ground with a gear drive. Unfortunately here in Canada, the L2501 is only offered in Hydrostat. If you want a gear drive here you need to jump up to the L3901 which unfortunately is quite a bit more money and also has a DPF. Thanks again.

[@tractortalkwithgary1271]

@@timschison52 , I had heard that before somewhere that you can’t get gear drive in Canada. How unfortunate. When I bought my L2501, I bought it sight unseen. It came out of a warehouse in Georgia. My dealer had a L3901 on his lot that was hydrostatic and had the R4 industrial tires. Neither of which I wanted. He made me an incredible offer to buy it , but I declined and went with the L2501. Never been sorry. Sorry that you guys can’t get the gear drive. They are still awesome machines either way. My GR2120 is a hydrostatic with the treadle pedal. I really love the machine and I like the hydrostatic. I just am not a fan of Kubotas treadle pedal. I get along with it just fine. This will be my 5th year with it. Wouldn’t want to be without it . Great machine.

[@timschison52]

The Hydrostat on the L2501 pulls decent enough for me, it just takes a bit of getting used to. I had a bad habit at first by pushing the pedal harder when I needed more power. Now that I finally trained myself to let up on the tredel pedal to pull harder, it seems to work well for me. The L2501s are very capable little machines.

[@dmilligan2302]

Thanks for the Great side by side comparison! I have the 2501 and it is very strong and a workhorse. I don't have a lawn to worry about so it is great for my 10 acres in Alabama.

[@timschison52]

I'm glad that you enjoyed the video! The L2501 is a great tractor. 👍

[@seanwahl1000]

I've had the b2601 for three years and it's a great little machine. I now have the need for more lift height, capacity and weight while maintaining a small frame since I have a lot of trees. I've decided on the b26 tlb because the backhoe is way more capable and just the ruggedness in general. I have never taken off the loader or used the midmount so those perks are not beneficial to me. Thanks for the video!

[@timschison52]

Thanks for watching, I am very impressed by the capacities of the B26, I'd love to try one out some day.

[@stoweman34]

Great comparison! Exactly what I needed to see. Thx!

[@timschison52]

Thank you!

[@HuckabonesEquipment]

Great video Tim, Thanks for the honest opinion of the tractors

[@timschison52]

Thanks very much for watching Chris! appreciate it!!

[@chuckstubblefield5998]

According to the FTC, since at least 2021, Kubota has labeled thousands of those parts as Made in USA when, in fact, they were imported from overseas. In addition, the FTC says that the company moved some its manufacturing to locations outside the United States and yet continued to label those products as Made in USA.Jan 26, 2024

[@timschison52]

Thanks for watching and for the information.

[@rastagrastag7784]

L2501 owner here .. great for the 12 acre mountain property. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@timschison52]

They are a fantastic and very capable machine! 👍

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

Great review of the tractors. Second time I watched this video. Nicely done. Did I see some relatives sitting out back there. ?

[@timschison52]

For sure, they are a little camera shy!

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

@@timschison52 hehe.

[@clemhopper33]

Thanks Tim. Great to hear an opinion from someone with experience on both machines. Sounds like the L2501/02 would suit my needs better. What's you opinion on the R4 vs R14s? I'm not to concerned about lawn damage though I will have to drive across it a bit. I'm more concerned about stability, resistance to punctures and traction. I anticipate having wheel spacers and loaded tires. I assume I'll need chains for snow blowing and some winter bush work. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@timschison52]

If I had to pick a year round tire for the L2501 it would be the R4. They are useless in mild snow conditions but since you will be using chains that will remedy that problem. I find that the R4 are less susceptible to punctures and hold the tractor up better in soft conditions. The R14 are a great snow tire but are not as good for flotation in the mud .They tear up the lawn as well. I have a complete set of R4s and R14s for the B2601 and will soon be putting the R4s back on. I hope that helps.

[@jamesw.3491]

I own a L2501. I have R4's and they will cut a soft lawn, but nothing like AG tires. Even if you load the tires, get a ballast box if you plan on much loader work. Even with tires loaded, the rear end gets light moving buckets of stone.

[@timschison52]

@@jamesw.3491, great advice. You are absolutely right ✅️

[@chadbinette3201]

Loaded tires are a must for any tractor larger that bx or 1 series in my opinion. And they are a little more money than a ballast box but wheel weights are as good as it gets for traction and weight to the ground. I have a l3940 and have loaded tires and a ballast box and my buddy has a newer l4060 (basically the new version of mine) with loaded tires and wheel weights and it's a totally different machine traction wise , it just puts the weight right to the ground where you want it, he can be in 2wd when I need 4wd in the same spot.

[@eroom2087]

L2602 is the one for me

[@timschison52]

The L is a great series in the Kubota lineup.

[@larryrivers2752]

Can you show the implements on the 3 point hitch in operation? Thanks for the side by side. Do either use the DEF ?

[@timschison52]

Great idea for a future video, and no neither of these tractors use any def or have a diesel particulate filter. They are old school mechanical diesels.

[@tacomafan7488]

I really wanted to buy b2601 but end up buying L 2501 with no regrets

[@timschison52]

They are both awesome machines!

[@clemhopper33]

Another question about the L2501 of you don't mind. I understand the extra weight of the L helps improve traction. I also understand that the L has a larger displacement, higher torque engine than the other Kubota sub 26hp engines. If you were to chain the L2501 to an immovable anchor and pull what would be the limiting factor? Assuming loaded tires, dry reasonably solid dirt ground conditions. Would it run out of traction or power first? I'm ok with the 19hp pto, not planning a lot of ground engagement work. Just want to be sure this machine has ample low range power to pull itself around with power to spare. As in being able to pull itself and a 2000 lb trailer or large log up a reasonable incline without feeling like it's at its limit. This is probably the most taxing thing I'd need it to do. Thanks your insight.

[@timschison52]

In my opinion the things that you are describing, The L2501 in low range will pull that with no effort. It has pulled green 18 plus inch tree length hard maple with no problem at all. They are very strong in low range. I hope that helps.

[@clemhopper33]

Thank you Tim for the insight. I hope you're enjoying the great weather today.

[@timschison52]

I am really enjoying the weather, hopefully spring is here!

[@stoweman34]

Is one better on slope than the other?

[@timschison52]

I couldn't say one is better than the other on slopes but I have wheel spacers on both. The L2501 is a bit wider but the B2601 is lower so they are about the same feel on a side hill. I hope that helps.